Main Menu - Help

Video Transcripts

 

Overview 

 

In the summer of 2004 we presented an ambitious agenda and clear commitments to Canadians in four priority areas. These were:

• to maintain our country's unparalleled fiscal record of balanced budgets or better; 

• to invest in people and secure our social foundations; 

• to achieve a more productive and environmentally sustainable economy;

•  and to strengthen Canada's role in the world so we can meet our global obligations and take full advantage of international opportunities.

With Budget 2005 the government is delivering on all these commitments, and doing so while presenting our eighth consecutive balanced budget.

 

Social 

 

Canadians share a belief in equality of opportunity - that all Canadians should have the chance to succeed, achieve their potential and participate fully in the promise of Canadian society.

 

They expect governments to work together to improve access to first-rate health care and social programs. And they demand accountability, transparency and effectiveness in how these programs are managed - they demand that every hard-earned tax dollar is well spent. 

 

Consistent with these values, Budget 2005 delivers on the government's commitment to invest in people and secure our social foundations. It provides: 

• major new increases in federal transfers to the provinces and territories for health care;

•  tax measures to help people with disabilities, and their caregivers; 

• a multi-billion-dollar investment in early learning and child care; 

• enriched support for Seniors; 

• additional support for Canada's Aboriginal Communities;

•  and important measures to reinforce the justice framework and other pillars of our society.

 

 International 

 

As part of a nation that includes people from around the globe, Canadians have a keen sense of the world beyond their borders.

 

Budget 2005 delivers on the government's commitment to strengthen Canada's role in the world so we can meet our global obligations and take full advantage of our global opportunities. It provides:

• significantly more money for international assistance; 

• new funding to combat serious health issues in Africa;

• advanced national security measures;

• and a substantial investment in our armed forces and the tools and equipment they need to carry out their duties. This is the largest increase in defence spending in 20 years. 

Economy 

 

The government made a commitment to achieving a more productive, growing and environmentally sustainable economy. 

 

Budget 2005 delivers on that commitment. It includes measures:

• to tackle climate change and protect our natural environment;

• to strengthen our cities and communities by sharing federal gas tax revenues and by renewing important infrastructure programs; 

• to increase funding for research and innovation; 

• and to help newcomers to our country reach their full potential.

We are also committing significant funding to a national early learning and child care program. And we are investing in the skills of people to help them prosper and make Canada's economy more productive. 

 

We are reducing taxes for all Canadians - especially those with low- and modest incomes. 

And we are giving savings and investment a boost through higher RRSP limits and lower taxes on small business and corporations.